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Kid Rock

 
Who2 Biography: Kid Rock, Pop Musician / Rock Musician
Kid Rock
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  • Born: 17 January 1971
  • Birthplace: Romeo, Michigan
  • Best Known As: Cowboy-rock rapper of Devil Without a Cause

Name at birth: Robert James Ritchie

A self-proclaimed redneck from the midwestern United States, Kid Rock turned a catchy mix of rap and country-influenced hard rock into pop stardom with his 1998 release Devil Without A Cause. He grew up near Detroit, Michigan, but in 1991 he moved to New York City to further his career. Although he had landed his first record contract in 1990, record labels weren't quite sure how to promote a white rapper who blended heavy metal and country rock. His albums The Polyfuze Method (1993) and Early Mornin' Stone Pimp (1996) featured lyrics too nasty to play on the radio, but relentless touring and a gift for self-promotion earned Kid Rock a cult following. By 1999 he and his band, Twisted Brown Trucker, were performing in arenas and causing sparks on MTV. In 2000 Kid Rock released The History of Rock, a collection of re-mixes and older material. He began dating actress Pamela Anderson in 2001; they became engaged in April of 2002, ended their relationship in 2003, then reunited and married in July of 2006. Four months later both he and Anderson filed for divorce.

Kid Rock's 3'9" sidekick, Joe C., died of Celiac disease in November of 2000.

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Artist: Kid Rock
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  • Born: January 17, 1971, Romeo, MI
  • Active: '90s, 2000s
  • Genres: Rock
  • Instrument: Vocals
  • Representative Albums: "Devil Without a Cause," "Kid Rock," "The History of Rock"
  • Representative Songs: "Bawitdaba," "Picture," "I Am the Bullgod"

Biography

One of the unlikeliest success stories in rock at the turn of the millennium, Detroit rap-rocker Kid Rock shot to superstardom with his fourth full-length album, 1998's Devil Without a Cause. What made it so shocking was that Rock had recorded his first demo a full decade before, been booted off major label Jive following his Beastie Boys-ish 1990 debut, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, and toiled for most of the decade in obscurity, releasing albums to a small, devoted, mostly local fan base while earning his fair share of ridicule around his home state. Nevertheless, Rock persevered, and by the time rap-metal had begun to attract a substantial audience, he had perfected the outlandish, over-the-top white-trash persona that gave Devil Without a Cause such a distinctive personality and made it such an infectious party record.

Bob "Kid Rock" Ritchie (born Robert James Ritchie, January 17, 1971) grew up in Romeo, MI, a small rural town north of the Detroit metro area. Finding small-town life stiflingly dull, Ritchie immersed himself in rap music, learned to breakdance, and began making the talent-show rounds in Detroit. Inspired by the Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill -- white performers fusing rap and hard guitar rock -- Kid Rock recorded his first demos in 1988, and eventually scored an opening slot at a Boogie Down Productions gig. That performance, in turn, led to a contract with Jive Records, which issued Kid Rock's debut album, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, in 1990. Produced by Kid Rock, Too Short, and D-Nice, the album was heavily derivative of Licensed to Ill. Rock briefly became notorious when a New York college radio station aired the album's profanity-laced ode to oral sex, "Yodelin' in the Valley," and was fined over $20,000 (a judgment later rescinded). However, despite a tour with Too Short and Ice Cube, Jive didn't see much of a future for Kid Rock and dropped him from their roster.

Moving to Brooklyn, Rock hooked up with the small Continuum label, and moved his brand of rap further into hard rock with The Polyfuze Method, released in 1993. Reviews were mixed, with some critics praising the record's humor and eclecticism while others dismissed it as awkward and forced. The EP Fire It Up followed in 1994, appearing on Rock's own Top Dog imprint (which was still distributed by Continuum). Rock eventually returned to the Detroit area and began work on another album; recorded on a shoestring budget, Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp was released in 1996. Although sometimes forced to sell bootleg dubs of his own records to pay the rent, Rock set about forming a full-fledged backing band, which he dubbed Twisted Brown Trucker. While its membership fluctuated early on, rapper Joe C. (born Joseph Calleja) was one of the first to join; a longtime fan and frequent concert attendee, Calleja caught Rock's eye in 1994, partly because of his diminutive stature (due to a digestive condition known as celiac disease, which required both dialysis and extensive medication) and partly because of his encyclopedic knowledge of Rock's song lyrics. The rest of the lineup settled around mostly Detroit-area musicians: guitarists Kenny Olson and Jason Krause, keyboardist Jimmy Bones (born Jimmy Trombly, he handles the basslines himself), drummer Stefanie Eulinberg, DJ/turntablist Uncle Kracker (born Matt Shafer, who had been with Rock since the early '90s), and backing vocalists Misty Love and Shirley Hayden.

As rap-metal acts like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Rage Against the Machine began to dominate the hard rock landscape, Atlantic Records decided to take a chance on signing Rock. Devil Without a Cause didn't do much upon its initial release in August 1998, but a big promotional push from the label and MTV helped make the album's second single and video, "Bawitdaba," a nationwide smash. The follow-up, "Cowboy," achieved similar success, and suddenly, after a decade of trying, Kid Rock was a superstar with a Top Five, seven-times-platinum album and a gig at Woodstock '99. While pondering how to follow up Devil, Rock acquired the rights to his indie label recordings and remixed or re-recorded the best material for The History of Rock, which was released in the summer of 2000 and featured some new songs as well. Sadly, after being forced to take a break from touring a year earlier by his medical difficulties, Joe C. passed away in his sleep on November 16, 2000.

Even with a tragedy like this in his life, Rock continued work on his follow-up to Devil Without a Cause. The media focused more on his relationship with actress Pamela Anderson than his musical career, which many magazines were beginning to ridicule. His DJ, Uncle Kracker, had a successful solo career during the spring and summer of 2001, leaving Rock without one of his most frequent collaborators. Still, by the winter of that year he had completed work on Cocky and had released "Forever" to success on rock radio. In fall 2003, Kid Rock returned with a self-titled effort. A cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love" marked the first single. The cover art to his 2006 live album, Live Trucker, paid tribute to Bob Seger's Live Bullet. Just a year later the studio record Rock N Roll Jesus came out. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Wikipedia: Kid Rock
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Kid Rock

Kid Rock performs for military men and women as part of a USO show onboard Camp Phoenix.
Background information
Birth name Robert James Ritchie
Born January 17, 1971 (1971-01-17) (age 38)
Taylor, Michigan, U.S.
Genres Rock, hip hop, country, nu metal[1]
Occupations Musician, singer-songwriter, actor
Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass, banjo, Dobro, steel guitar, piano, keyboards, drums, percussion, harmonica, turntables
Years active 1990–present
Labels Atlantic, Jive, Top Dog, Continuum Records
Associated acts Hank Williams, Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eminem, Joe C., R. Kelly, Ludacris, Uncle Kracker, Paradime, Five star Carnie, The Beast Crew, Run-DMC
Website www.KidRock.com

Robert James Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter with five Grammy Award nominations. Kid Rock is known for music that fuses rap with heavy metal, blues rock, southern rock, funk and country music.

Kid Rock released several studio albums that mostly went unnoticed before his 1998 record Devil Without a Cause, released with Atlantic Records, sold 11 million albums behind the hits, "Bawitdaba","Cowboy," and "Only God Knows Why". In 2000, he released The History of Rock which was a compilation of remixed and remastered versions of songs from his previous albums as well as the single, "American Bad Ass". In 2001, he released the follow up, Cocky. After a slow start, his country-flavored hit "Picture" with Sheryl Crow resurrected the album and it went gold as a single and pushed the album's sales to more than 5 million. It was followed by 2003's self-titled release, which failed to chart a major hit. In 2006 he released Live Trucker , a live album. In 2007 Kid Rock released Rock N Roll Jesus, which produced a hit in "All Summer Long". It was his first worldwide smash hit, charting #1 in eight countries across Europe and Australia.[2][3] Rock N Roll Jesus would go on to sell 5 million albums worldwide including being certified triple platinum in the US.

He has sold 22 million albums to date in the United States, which currently ranks him as the 99th best selling music artist of all time in the U.S.

Contents

Musical career

Early years

Kid Rock grew up on an apple orchard in Romeo, Michigan, and his father was a wealthy car dealer. His parents would entertain guests with Bobby singing covers of Jim Croce, Johnny Cash and Bob Seger at their barn parties. However, by the time the 1980s began hip-hop had emerged, and a late-night TV performance by the Fat Boys had Bobby hooked. He became immersed in hip hop with groups like Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, Whodini, Too Short and Eric B. & Rakim.

At age eleven he joined a breakdance crew (referred to as b-boy), called the Furious Funkers. They would dance anywhere they could for money. He saved up his money to buy a cheap belt-driven turntable, and he taught himself how to work the tables. In high school, Ritchie DJed at parties for beer. He eventually joined Bo Wisdom of Groove Time Productions, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan to perform basement parties for thirty dollars a night. It was then that he was given his stage name; club goers dubbed him with the moniker "Kid Rock" after they had enjoyed watching "that white kid can rock."

Rock started rapping and joined a local hip hop group The Beast Crew they were composed of The Blackman, Champtown, KDC, Crisp and Doc Rounce Cee. Rock became friends with producer D-Nice of the legendary hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions. When Rock opened for BDP one night,Template:D-Nice invited an A&R representative from Jive Records to see him perform. This meeting led to a demo deal, which developed into a full record contract.

Against his parents' wishes, Rock signed the deal at the age of seventeen. Despite his new record deal, he had a falling out with The Beast Crew when he signed over fellow member Champtown (the two have become friends again since). They left his vocals in on tracks on their debut underground album "Chapter 1: He Don't Want Us No More," against his wishes. Rock later became part of the Straight From The Underground Tour, where he found himself alongside several heavyweights of rap including Ice Cube, Too Short, D-Nice, Mac Dre, and Yo-Yo.

Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast

On December 11, 1990, Kid Rock released his debut album Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast on Jive Records. The lead single "Yo Da Lin In The Valley" was banned by the FCC for its fixation on oral sex, and received at the time the largest non-commercial radio fine of all time at $23,750 fined to SUNY Cortland Radio (WSUC-FM).[4]. Jive released Kid Rock from their roster in 1991. It was during the height of the 2 Live Crew censorship trial and they deemed Kid Rock's album too dirty.[5]

He would meet Uncle Kracker in 1991 after battling Kracker's brother in a rap battle back in Clawson, Michigan. Kid Rock eventually asked Uncle Kracker to become his full time DJ, although at the time he had no clue how to play them.[citation needed]

Grits Sandwiches sold 100,000 copies upon its initial release[citation needed]. Atlantic Record won the rights to the record in 2000 and re-released the album.

Independent days

In late 1991 he was picked up by an independent record label called Continuum Records, which released his second album The Polyfuze Method the following year. He moved to Brooklyn to work on the album. It was more rock oriented with Rock teaching himself how to play several different instruments including guitar, drums, keyboard and organ. While the album saw some local college radio success at Central Michigan University with the tracks "Back From The Dead" and "Balls In Your Mouth" (which was an even cruder ode to oral sex than Yo Da Lin In The Valley, that never got fined ), the lead single, "U Don't Know Me", failed to chart, and the music video received little airplay on any major music video channels. Kid Rock re-released "Back From The Dead" as a single to mainstream radio, but that too failed as a single. The album has sold around 100,000 copies.

He released an EP called Fire It Up later in 1993. The album was hard rock oriented, but he couldn't get rock radio to pick up on any of the singles, including "I Am the Bullgod", which would be a hit five years later. They would tell him there was too much rapping in the songs. Continuum didn't see a future with Rock after this and released him from his contract in 1994.

He moved back to Detroit where his on-again/off-again relationship with Kelly South resulted in the birth of his son, Robert James Ritchie, Jr. Kid Rock gained custody of his son. He started his own label, Top Dog Records, and released monthly demo tapes dubbed The Bootleg Series, which featured demos of him and other up-and-coming rappers and garage rock bands in the Detroit area. Around the same time, Kid Rock formed his back-up band Twisted Brown Trucker, later recruiting Joe C., who he met at a 1994 concert, as part of the group. In 1995, Rock took a job as a janitor at Whiterooms Studios in order to pay studio fees. When he wasn't working, Kid Rock recorded the material that would eventually make up his fourth album, Early Morning Stoned Pimp. During the recording process he met piano player Jimmie Bones ,who was working with Robert Bradley in the adjacent room at White Room Studios. Bones decided to join Kid Rock's band soon after. The album was released January 9 th 1996, after a loan from his father and Kid Rock sold 60,000 copies out of the trunk of his car and after concerts. With EMSP local success he would rerelease The Polyfuze Method as The Polyfuze Method Revisted in 1997 with "I Am The Bullgod", "Rollin On The Island" and "Rain Check" as additional tracks in March 1997.

While Kid Rock was now popular in Michigan and controlling his own label, he felt he needed to get attention from a major label. Without knowing in December 1996, Lava/Atlantic Records A&R man Andy Karp, traveled to Cleveland to see Rock perform at a small club called The Grog Shop. This was key because on March 30, 1997, Rock performed a special showcase concert to attract major label attention. While many of the major labels were invited, the only attendees were Karp and Lava President Jason Flom (Lava/Atlantic Records) who had seen him in Cleveland. Following the performance, record executives said they loved him but expressed doubts about the strength of his material. Kid Rock returned to the studio and cut a six song demo tape; the first two songs on the tape were "Somebody's Gotta Feel This" and "I Got One For Ya". After hearing the two songs, Jason Flom supported Karp in signing Kid Rock to a record deal for $100,000, without even hearing the rest.[6]

Devil Without a Cause

In 1997, Kid Rock added drummer/vocalist Stefanie Eulinberg to his band, joining Kenny Olson, Jason Krause, Jimmie Bones, Uncle Kracker, Misty Love, Shirley Hayden and Joe C.. On August 18, 1998, Atlantic released Devil Without a Cause behind the single "Welcome 2 The Party." Kid Rock went on the Vans Warped Tour to support the album.

Audiences ignored "Welcome 2 The Party" and Devil sat on the shelves collecting dust for eight months. While sales nationwide lagged, his performance on the 1998 Warped Tour in Northampton, Massachusetts stimulated regional interest in Massachusetts and New England. This led to substantial airplay in the summer and fall of 1998 on rock staples in Massachusetts WZLX and WAAF for the single "I Am The Bullgod." In December 1998, while dj'ing at a club he met and became friends with MTV host Carson Daly, he got an offer to perform on MTV Fashionably Loud in Miami, giving the nation its first real look at Kid Rock. From there, MTV took him under their wing as he performed on MTV's Wanna B A VJ doing "My Name Is Rock" and was the DJ for TRL on the Spring Break Special as well as a judge on Say What Karaoke. This sparked him to gold status by April 1999.[7]

In May 1999, he released the song "Bawitdaba" to radio outlets, and proceeded to blow up overnight. By June, the album had gone platinum.[7] Kid Rock went on the Limptropolis Tour with fellow rap-rockers Limp Bizkit and Staind in the same month, his first major tour. By the time he made his career defining performance at Woodstock 1999 on July 27, 1999, he was double platinum.[7] The following single "Cowboy" was an even bigger hit. It was a unique mix of southern rock, country and rap that found its way into the Top 40. Kid Rock helped create one of the most memorable moments in MTV history with his 1999 Video Music Awards medley with Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith who rejoined to perform the seminal rap-rock version of "Walk This Way," the same song that revived Aerosmith's career in the 1980s. Rock's next single, the rock ballad "Only God Knows Why," would be the biggest hit off the album charting at No 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. By the time the final single "Wasting Time" was released the album had sold 7 million albums, Devil Without A Cause was certified 11 times platinum by the RIAA on April 17, 2003.[7].

He was nominated as Best New Artist at the 2000 Grammy Awards, losing to Christina Aguilera. He was nominated for "Bawitdaba" for Best Hard Rock Performance, losing to Metallica's "Whiskey in the Jar."

The History of Rock

After reacquiring the rights to his early material in 2000, Rock released The History of Rock, a collection of remixed and re-recorded songs from The Polyfuze Method and Early Mornin Stoned Pimp. The one of two new tracks, "American Bad Ass" was released as a single. It sampled the Metallica track "Sad But True".

On May 27 Kid Rock would perform on Saturday Night Live. He first performed "American Bad Ass". The second song was an acoustic version of "Only God Knows Why" that featured Phish's Trey Anatasio. Kid Rock would join Phish later in the year in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a set of cover songs.

"American Bad Ass" was used as pro wrestler The Undertaker's entrance song in the World Wrestling Federation for a year. He performed the song in Vancouver Canada on Monday Night Raw on May 29, 2000. During the show Joe C helped the Dudley Boys win the tag team titles from Edge and Christian who had mocked him for being a midget. Edge and Christian got their revenge by stuffing him in a trash can and slamming him into the wall afterwards. The following night Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett of Metallica joined Kid Rock to do "American Bad Ass" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

From June 30 to August 22, 2000, Rock joined the Summer Sanitarium Tour with Metallica, Korn, Powerman 5000, and System of a Down. Kid Rock filled in for James Hetfield of Metallica, singing vocals on the songs "Enter Sandman", "Sad But True", and "Nothing Else Matters" and the turntables for "Fuel", for three shows after Hetfield injured his spine riding a jet ski on Lake Lanier the day before the July 7th Atlanta concert.

On November 16, 2000 Joseph "Joe C" Callejua would pass away in his sleep from Coeliac disease in Taylor, MI. The disease stunted his growth and forced him to take 60 pills a day. Joe C's final song was "Cool Daddy Cool" for the Osmosis Jones soundtrack. The band made a cameo in the movie as the band playing in the club scene. Kid Rock was referred to as Kidney Rock to go along with the cartoon aspect of being a cell in the body of Frank played by Bill Murray.

In early 2001, Rock inducted Aerosmith into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed "Sweet Emotion" at the induction ceremony. The same year, Rock landed his first acting role in the David Spade white trash comedy Joe Dirt. His character was Robbie a redneck bully to Joe Dirt who was chasing after Joe's unaware love interest Brandy.

"American Bad Ass" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 2001s Grammy Awards. Losing out to Rage Against The Machine's "Guerilla Radio". The History of Rock would go on to be certified double platinum.

Cocky

Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock in 2003

In 2001 Kid Rock began dating Playboy playmate and actress Pamela Anderson, after the two met at a VH1 tribute to Aretha Franklin. By April 2002, he and Anderson were engaged, but the engagement was later called off.[8]

In November, Kid Rock released Cocky, which was marketed as the official follow up to Devil Without a Cause. With the era of rap metal on the decline, Kid Rock included several southern rock and country ballads on the album. The first single, "Forever", featured his standard brash rap-rock sound, but lacked the selling power of "Devil Without A Cause". By the time the songs "Lonely Road of Faith"and "You Never Met a Motherfucker Quite Like Me" were released as singles the album struggled to reach platinum a year later.

However, the release of "Picture", a country-influenced duet with Sheryl Crow, introduced Kid Rock to a wider audience. "Picture" was ultimately the most successful single on the album, and was eventually certified gold, with album sales reaching 5 million.[7] Interestingly, neither his record company nor Sheryl Crow's wanted anything to do with "Picture" as a single. Allison Moorer remade the song for the single version after Kid Rock released the song against his label's wishes. Once it began to climb the country charts, Sheryl Crow's label caved and the original version was released.[9] The song would chart at No 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No 17 on Country radio. The song remains his most successful pop song in the US to date.

On December 14, 2001, CMT aired an episode of Crossroads featuring Rock with Hank Williams, Jr. The episode drew 2.1 million viewers, a record on CMT.[10]. He would perform for troops in January 2002 on an MTV USO Special at Germany's Ramstein Air Base along with Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez.

At the end of 2002, Uncle Kracker left the band to pursue a solo career and Detroit underground rapper Paradime replaced him. Kid Rock made his second movie, Biker Boyz, with Laurence Fishburne.

A new direction

In 2003, Kid Rock returned with an eponymous album, almost stripping away the accustomed rap rock sound that he had created, opting for southern rock and several country ballads in the wake of "Picture"'s success. The album's lead single was a cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love". A media blitz accompanied the single capped off by the VH-1 special called A Kid Rock Christmas, which aired on December 14, 2003. He would release "Cold and Empty", "Jackson, Mississippi" and "I Am" to minor success on radio. The David Allan Coe penned "Single Father", became his second charting country song, although like the other singles it was minor hit at #50.[7]. Kid Rock would be his lowest selling mainstream studio album of his career with 1.4 million copies sold.

Kid Rock was involved in the halftime show controversy at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas on February 1, 2004. He was criticized by war veterans for his choice of wearing the American flag as a poncho.

The following month, Kid inducted Bob Seger into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In September 2005, Kid Rock filled in for Johnny Van Zant, the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd on the band's hit "Sweet Home Alabama" at the Hurricane Katrina benefit concert.[11]

He performed the theme song for Spike TV's Striperella, which featured Pamela Anderson in 2003, the song was entitled "Erotica".

Live Trucker

Kid Rock in concert on September 16, 2006 in Denver, Colorado.

On February 28, 2006, Kid Rock released his first live album, Live Trucker, comprising songs from his homestead performances in Clarkston (on September 1, 2000, and August 26 through August 28, 2004), and Detroit's Cobo Hall (March 26, 2004). The album contained the last two performances of Joe C. on "Devil Without a Cause" and "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp," as well as Kid duetting with country star Gretchen Wilson on "Picture."

He brought Detroit's favorite son Bob Seger back from semi-retirement during his pre-Super Bowl concerts on February 2 and 3, 2006 in Detroit. The two performed a rousing version of Seger's "Rock 'N' Roll Never Forgets" on both nights. Kid Rock would appear on Bob Seger's much anticipated album, Face The Promise, on a Vince Gill cover of "Real Mean Bottle," a tribute to country legend Merle Haggard. He would make a cameo in the movie Larry The Cable Guy: Health Inspector and was in an episode of CSI: New York in 2006.

He would induct Lynyrd Skynyrd into the 2006 Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame and perform "Sweet Home Alabama" with them.

Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson resumed their on-again, off-again relationship, culminating in a surprise wedding in July 2006 after it was reported Anderson was pregnant. They divorced 5 months later after Kid Rock stated she lied about having a miscarriage.

Rock N Roll Jesus

Rock N Roll Jesus was released on October 9, 2007. The album became Kid Rock's first album to go number 1 in his career, selling 172,000 copies in its first week.[12] He made the cover of Rolling Stone magazine for the second time of his career,[13] and appeared for the first time ever on Larry King Live to discuss the new album.

Although the albums first two singles were successful on rock radio in "So Hott" and "Amen," the albums third single "All Summer Long", would become a smash. It utilized a mash up of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London." "All Summer Long" would chart at No 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Rock N Roll Jesus" returned to the Top 10 for 17 straight weeks. Both "Roll On" and the title track were released as follow up singles. The album's final single was "Blue Jeans and a Rosary" which was a minor country hit at No 50.

Kid Rock performed on VH1 Storytellers on November 27, 2008, giving insight to how he wrote some of his hit songs. On April 5, 2009 he performed a 5-song medley at WrestleMania XXV.

He was nominated for best rock album and best male pop/rock performance for "All Summer Long" at the 2009 Grammys. He lost to Coldplay's Viva La Vida for best Rock Album and John Mayer's "Say" for Best Male Pop/Rock Performance. He would take home his first country award winning for Best Wide Open Country Video for "All Summer Long" at the 2009 CMT Awards

On May 22 Kid Rock's June 8, 2008 concert at Germany's Rock AM Festival was aired on every MTV affiliate around the world on their debut show "World Stage".[14] On July 3, 2009 "Rock N Roll Jesus" was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.

Kid Rock held the largest headline concert of his career the weekend of July 17 and 18th, 2009, at Comerica Park in Detroit. 80,000 people attended the two shows.

Warrior

In 2008, Kid Rock recorded "Warrior" for a National Guard advertising campaign.[15][16] According to a media spokesperson for the Guard, "the 'Warrior' video will appear in more than 3,000 theaters and on over 27,000 screens around the country. The video and pre-show slides will air before every movie except those rated G and PG."

New Album

Kid Rock's follow up to Rock N Roll Jesus is being produced by Rick Rubin. Rolling Stone Magazine's recent Q&A with Kid Rock in their August 6, 2009 issue confirmed two songs in "The Midwest Fall" and "One Women Man". Other confirmed songs have been "Care" featuring T.I. and "In Times Like These," which he has performed on his current tour. The song is about Detroit's struggling economy. A song with rapper Lil Wayne has been confirmed; it will be a freestyle rap over The Who's "Eminence Front", according to the Detroit Free Press. In an interview with WRIF-FM in Detroit in May 2009 he discussed a hard rock cover of country group Alabama's "Mountain Song" as well as a mash up of "Cowboy" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" featuring Bon Jovi. The album will be released between late 2009 and early 2010.

Chillin The Most Cruise

It was announced that Kid Rock will launch and host his first annual cruise dubbed the "Chillin The Most Cruise" a call back to his hit "Cowboy," on April 29, 2010. It will run 4 days through May 3 from Tampa, Florida to Grand Cayman. It will feature him and several other bands yet to be named. The cruise is produced by Atlanta based events company, Sixthman. [2]

Slash & Friends

Radio station WAAF in Boston confirmed that Kid Rock sings on Slash's solo album Slash & Friends among many other stars[17]. The album will be released in February 2010.

Legal troubles

Kid Rock has had multiple run-ins with law enforcement. In February 2005, he was arrested on assault charges for punching DJ Jay Campos in 'Christies Cabaret' strip club. Rock pleaded no contest and was sued for $575,000 by Campos.[18]

Kid Rock was cited for assault on Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee on September 9, 2007 at MTV's Video Music Awards.[19]

In October 2007, Kid Rock was involved in a brawl at a Waffle House in Atlanta and charged with simple battery [20].[21] He pleaded nolo contendere ("no contest") to one count, was fined $1,000, required to perform 80 hours of community service and complete a 6-hour course on anger management.[22]

Influences and sound

Kid Rock's genre-spanning sound incorporates a wide variety of musical styles and influences, ranging from classic rock and hip-hop to country. Kid Rock has called this blend a result of being "creatively confused." Rock's earliest exposure to music was via the classic rock and country albums of his parents. As rap and hip-hop gained mainstream prominence during the 1980s, Kid Rock was influenced by Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C., and Too $hort, who went on to produce Rock's first album. In 1999, he became friends with Hank Williams, Jr..

Twisted Brown Trucker

Twisted Brown Trucker is Kid Rock's band, formed in 1994 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The original lineup included Kenny Olson on lead guitar, Uncle Kracker on turntables, Andy Gould and Greg Metropolous on guitar, Paul Anthony on bass and Bob Ebeling on drums. The band's first involvement was on the 1994 demo of Dark & Grey on his Bootleg Series Tapes, they would make three more appearances on the tapes in Watch Me Come, Only A Dog and Box #10. Trucker became both Rock's studio and live band in 1997.

Chris Peters was the studio guitarist for The Polyfuze Method and Fire It Up. Matt O'Brien (Bass) and Kenny Tudrick (Guitar, Drums) were studio musicians for Devil Without A Cause.

Olson went on to form a band called The Flask, who later switched singers and changed their name to Five Star Carnie. Tudrick is with the band Detroit Cobras who he was with before touring on Kid Rock's 'Live' Trucker tour.

Percussionist Larry Frantangelo won a Detroit Music Award in 2009 for Outstanding Urban/Funk Musician.

1994-1995

  • Kenny Olson-Lead Guitar
  • Andy Gould-Guitar
  • Greg Metropolous-Guitar
  • Paul Anthony-Bass
  • Bob Ebeling-Drums
  • Bill Keros-Drums
  • Uncle Kracker-Turntables
  • Joe C-Vocals

1996

  • Kenny Olson-Lead Guitar
  • Marlon Young-Guitar
  • Jeff Hall-Guitar
  • Ray Echlin-Bass
  • Lonnie Motley-Bass
  • Jimmie Bones-Organ, Piano,Keyboard, Harmonica
  • Eric Hogemeyer- Drums
  • Bon Ebeling-Drums
  • Uncle Kracker-Turntables
  • Joe C-Vocals

1997

  • Kenny Olson- Lead Guitar
  • Jason Krause-Guitar
  • Lonnie Motley-Bass
  • Jimmie Bones-Organ, Piano,Keyboard, Harmonica
  • Bob Ebeling-Drums
  • Chris Lebroux-Bongos
  • Uncle Kracker-Turntables
  • Joe C- Vocals
  • Thornetta Davis-Background Vocals

1998-2001

  • Kenny Olson- Lead Guitar
  • Jason Krause- Guitar
  • Mike Bradford- Bass
  • Jimmie Bones-Organ, Piano,Keys, Harmonica
  • Stefanie Eulinberg-Drums and Vocals
  • Uncle Kracker-Turntables
  • Joe C-vocals, died in 2000
  • Misty Love-Background Vocals
  • Shirley Hayden-Background Vocals

2002-2003

  • Kenny Olson-Lead Guitar
  • Jason Krause-Guitar
  • Bobby East-Bass
  • Jimmie Bones-Organ, Piano,Keys, Harmonica
  • Stefanie Eulinberg-Drums and Vocals
  • Paradime-Turntables

2004-2005

  • Kenny Olson-Lead Guitar
  • Jason Krause-Guitar
  • Aaron Julison-Bass
  • Jimmie Bones-Organ, Piano,Keys, Harmonica
  • Stefanie Eulinberg-Drums And Vocals
  • Smith Curry-Dobro
  • Paradime-Turtables
  • Karen Newman-Background Vocals
  • Lauren Creamer-Background Vocals

2006

  • Kenny Tudrick-Lead Guitar
  • Jason Krause-Guitar
  • Aaron Julison-Bass
  • Jimmie Bones-Organ, Piano, Keys, Harmonica
  • Stefanie Eulinberg-Drums and Vocals
  • Paradime-Turntables

Current Lineup

  • Marlon Young- Lead Guitar
  • Jason Krause- Guitar
  • Aaron Julison-Bass
  • Jimmie Bones-Organ, Piano,Keys, Harmonica
  • Stefanie Eulinberg-Drums and Vocals
  • Larry Frantangelo- Percussion
  • David McMurray-Saxophone
  • Paradime-Turntables
  • Stacey Michelle-Background Vocals
  • Jessica Wagner-Background Vocals

Discography

Tours

Filmography

Awards and nominations

  • Grammy Awards
    • 2000 Best New Artist (Nominated)
    • 2000 Best Hard Rock Performance for "Bawitdaba" (Nominated)
    • 2001 Best Hard Rock Performance for "American Bad Ass" (Nominated)
    • 2009 Best Rock Album for Rock N Roll Jesus (Nominated)
    • 2009 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "All Summer Long" (Nominated)
  • American Music Awards
    • 2008, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist (Nominated)
    • 2003, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist: (Winner)
    • 2003, Favorite Pop/Rock Album: Cocky (Nominated)
    • 2001, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist: (Winner)
    • 2000, Favorite Alternative Artist: (Nominated)
    • 2000, Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist: (Nominated)
  • Billboard Music Awards
    • 1999 Best New Artist (Winner)
    • 1999 Best Hard Rock Performance for "Bawitdaba" (Winner)
    • 1999 Best New Hard Rock Artist (Winner)
  • MTV Video Music Awards
    • 2001, Best Male Video: "Cowboy" (Nominated)
    • 2001, Best Rock Video: "Cowboy" (Nominated)
    • 2000, Best Male Video: "Bawitdba" (Nominated)
    • 2000, Best New Artist: "Bawitdba" (Nominated)
  • Teen Choice Awards
    • 2003, Choice Love Song: "Picture" (Nominated)
    • 2003 Choice Hookup Song: "Picture" (Nominated)
  • Detroit Music Awards
    • 1999
      • Outstanding National Album for Devil Without A Cause (Winner)
      • Outstanding National Single for "I Am The Bullgod" (Winner)
      • Outstanding National Single for "Bawitdaba" (Nominee)
      • Outstanding National Hip Hop Writer/Producer (Winner)
    • 2000
      • Outstanding National Album for History Of Rock (Nominee)
      • Outstanding National Single for "American Bad Ass" (Winner)
      • Outstanding National Single for "Cowboy" (Nominee)
      • Outstanding National Duet for "Higher" with Robert Bradley (Winner)
      • Outstanding National Spokesperson (Winner)
    • 2001
      • Outstanding National Album for Cocky (Nominated)
      • Outstanding National Single for "Forever" (Nominated)
    • 2003
      • Outstanding National Single for Picture (Nominated)
    • 2004
      • Outstanding National Album for Kid Rock (Nominated)
      • Outstanding National Single for "Cold And Empty" (Nominated)
      • Outstanding National Single for "Jackson, Mississippi" (Nominated)
    • 2006
      • Outstanding National Album for Live Trucker (Nominated)
    • 2008
      • Outstanding National Album for Rock N Roll Jesus (Winner)
      • Outstanding National Single for "So Hott" (Nominated)
      • Outstanding National Single for "Amen" (Nominated)
    • 2009
      • Outstanding National Single for All Summer Long (Winner)
      • Outstanding National Single for Roll On (Nominated)
  • MTV European Music Awards
    • 2008 Most Attictive Track for "All Summer Long" (Nominated)
  • BMI Songwriting Award
    • 2002 "Picture" (Winner)
  • CMT Music Awards
    • 2003 Choice Male Video for "Picture" (Nominated)
    • 2009 Video of The Year for "All Summer Long" (Nominated)
    • 2009 Wide Open Country Video of the Year for "All Summer Long" (Winner)
  • World Music Awards
    • 2008 Worlds Best Male Pop Artist (Winner)
    • 2008 Worlds Best Pop/Rock Artist (Winner)
  • People's Choice Awards
    • 2009 Best Rock Song for "All Summer Long" (Winner)
  • Kid's Choice Awards
    • 2009 Favorite Male Singer (Current Nominee)
  • Echo Award (Germany)
    • 2009 Hit Of The Year for "All Summer Long" (Winner)

Other ventures and honors

  • He has his own clothing line called Made In Detroit which he purchased from its creator, Detroit designer Robert Stanzler, in 2003. Stanzler, a longtime friend of Kid Rock, is mentioned by name in Rock's song "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp".[23]
  • Wayne State University named a scholarship after Kid Rock for musicians. Kid Rock is using his clothing line to fund it.[24]
  • He was Grand Marshal of the Krewe of Endymion Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans on February 21, 2009 and was accompanied by The Chee-Weez, a local area cover band.[25]
  • He released his own beer called Bad Ass Beer on July 17, 2009 released over the entire midwestern part of the U.S.

References

Inline

  1. ^ [1] Somebody Scream!: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power by Marcus Reeves
  2. ^ "Kid Rock Celebrates 2 Million Album Sold!". Vivid Seats. http://www.kidrock.com/news/2008/08/28/kid-rock-celebrates-2-million-album-sold/. Retrieved 2008-08-29. 
  3. ^ Youngs, Ian (2008-06-18). "Kid Rock boycotts iTunes over pay". BBC News (BBC, Inc.). 
  4. ^ "State University of New York, WSUC(FM), Cortland, NY Notice of Apparent Liability". http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Orders/1998/fcc98179.txt. Retrieved 2008-07-23. 
  5. ^ "Kid Rock". Entertainfo. Cineman. http://www.cineman.ch/en/entertainfo/kid-rock.html. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  6. ^ "Interview — Andy Karp, Vice President of A&R at Lava/Atlantic in New York". AtlanticRecordsContact.com. http://www.atlanticrecordscontact.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  7. ^ a b c d e f "RIAA Certifications for albums by Kid Rock: Gold and Platinum". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Kid%20Rock%20&format=ALBUM&go=Search&perPage=50. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  8. ^ Rubin, Courtney; Dana Kennedy and Nancy Wilson (2006-07-31). "Pamela Anderson, Kid Rock Tie the Knot". Time. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1219944,00.html. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  9. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2003-01-30). "Kid Rock's Dead-In-The-Water Cocky Comes Back To Life". MTV (MTV Networks). http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459755/20030129/kid_rock.jhtml. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  10. ^ Finn, Timothy (2008-02-14). "Kid Rock revives the basics of rock ... but he's still got some rap in his repertoire". The Kansas City Star (McClatchy Company): pp. F7. http://news.google.com/archivesearch/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1-0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansascity.com%2F781%2Fstory%2F488087.html&ei=-F-GSLDpMa3E6gG08MnkBw&usg=AFQjCNH-ZyR19RG8YgA1qdzRicGaaD5Zeg. 
  11. ^ Iwasaki, Scott (2005-09-09). "Many concerts to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims". Deseret News (Salt Lake City) (BNet a CBS Company). http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20050909/ai_n15371925. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  12. ^ Cohen, Jonathon (2007-10-17). "Kid Rock Rolls to No. 1 Album Chart Debut". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003659257. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  13. ^ Hoard, Christopher (2007-07-12). "Kid Rock’s Rock and Roll Jesus: Exclusive Sneak Peek". Rock&Roll Daily (Rolling Stone). http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/07/12/kid-rocks-rock-and-roll-jesus-exclusive-sneak-peak/. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  14. ^ http://www.kidrock.com/news/2009/05/20/kid-rock-featured-on-mtvs-world-stage/
  15. ^ "Kid Rock, National Guard and Dale Earnhardt Jr team up for new commercial". 30 May 2008. http://www.kidrock.com/news/2008/05/30/kid-rock-national-guard-and-dale-earnhardt-jr-team-up-for-new-commercial/. Retrieved 9 March 2009. 
  16. ^ Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke. "Kid Rock, Earnhardt featured in Army Guard advertising campaign". http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/archives/2008/08/082208-Kid_Rock.aspx. 
  17. ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=130176 Kid Rock on Slash's album, Blabbermouth, November 10, 2009
  18. ^ The Associated Press (2005-06-16). "Kid Rock sued for $575,000 over assault at jons house". http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=38135. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  19. ^ "Kid Rock Cited for Misdemeanor Assault". Moono.com (UGO Networks). 2007-09-11. http://www.moono.com/news/news05595.html. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  20. ^ McDonald, Ray (22 October 2007). "Musician Kid Rock Arrested Following Restaurant Fight". VOA News (Voice of America). http://voanews.com/english/archive/2007-10/2007-10-22-voa26.cfm. Retrieved 2 January 2009. 
  21. ^ The Associated Press (2008-07-22). "Waffle House brawl costs Kid Rock $1,000". CNN (Turner Broadcasting System, Inc). http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/22/kid.rock.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 
  22. ^ "Kid Rock to Attend Anger Management Classes". Now Magazine. 2008-07-27. http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celebrity-news/267656/kid-rock-to-attend-anger-management-classes/1/. Retrieved 2008-07-28. 
  23. ^ "Kid Rock is starting scholarship". Detroit Free Press (Gannett). 2008-10-25. http://www.freep.com/article/20081025/ENT07/810250349. Retrieved 2008-10-30. 
  24. ^ "Kid Rock's apparel label to aid music scholarships". Yahoo News (Associated Press). 2008-10-24. http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12176661. Retrieved 2008-10-24. 
  25. ^ Jung, Andy (2009-02-21). Krewe of Endymion Mardi Gras parade photos Retrieved on 2009-05-14.

General

External links


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Jackie Chan: Saturday Night Live (TV Episode) (2000 Comedy TV Episode)
The Simpsons: Kill the Alligator and Run (2000 Comedy Film)
A Tribute to Kid Rock (2001 Album by Various Artists)

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Who2 Biography. Copyright © 1998-2008 by Who2, LLC. All rights reserved. See the Kid Rock biography from Who2.  Read more
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